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Pelican Beach Murder: Book Two, a Meg Miller Cozy Mystery
Jealousies and a body wash ashore during a summer retreat on the beach. Meg and Tom Richards negotiate a house trade for the summer. She will get a beach cottage on Galveston Island facing the Gulf of Mexico, and Tom will house sit for her while he wraps up the Hillard case from A Dickens of a Crime. What begins as a relaxing get away, becomes more complicated as Meg meets a family of locals with a troubled past. Her closest temporary neighbor, Echo Charles is quirky and mysterious and, Meg decides, irritating.
Although Meg enjoys a visit from her best friend, Jean, and their outings on the island, she is distracted by her thoughts about her own mother's past, a history Meg knows nothing about. As she anticipates the birth of her first grandchild, she mourns the absence of her own maternal grandmother. She wants to make memories for Dorie's and Michael's child, but she realizes she's missed half of her own heritage and will have nothing to pass on from her mother's side of the family.
The relationships she discovers during her beach stay remind her of the dysfunction and exploitation of the Hillard twins in her own hometown. The personalities and their consequences strike a familiar chord for Meg and she's alert to every nuance in her conversations with the locals. It will be her ability to form relationships and follow her intuition that will help Meg flesh out the murderer, and again, it will disappoint her to know the consequences of neglected relationships.
Scenic, historic Galveston Island, Texas is the setting for a cozy mystery reminiscent of the best in amateur sleuthing. This story will set the stage for Meg's next adventure and road trip to discover mysteries from her own family's history.
Although Meg enjoys a visit from her best friend, Jean, and their outings on the island, she is distracted by her thoughts about her own mother's past, a history Meg knows nothing about. As she anticipates the birth of her first grandchild, she mourns the absence of her own maternal grandmother. She wants to make memories for Dorie's and Michael's child, but she realizes she's missed half of her own heritage and will have nothing to pass on from her mother's side of the family.
The relationships she discovers during her beach stay remind her of the dysfunction and exploitation of the Hillard twins in her own hometown. The personalities and their consequences strike a familiar chord for Meg and she's alert to every nuance in her conversations with the locals. It will be her ability to form relationships and follow her intuition that will help Meg flesh out the murderer, and again, it will disappoint her to know the consequences of neglected relationships.
Scenic, historic Galveston Island, Texas is the setting for a cozy mystery reminiscent of the best in amateur sleuthing. This story will set the stage for Meg's next adventure and road trip to discover mysteries from her own family's history.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 22, 2019
7 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Phyllis H. Moore
32 books58 followersPhyllis H. Moore wants to live life experiences more than once: doing it, writing about it and reading about it. She’s had two careers and two retirements. Both careers gave her inspiration for her novels: The Sabine Series, Sabine, Billy’s Story, Josephine’s Journals and Secrets of Dunn House,
She's written three stand-alone novels: Opal’s Story, Tangled, a Southern Gothic Yarn, The Bright Shawl, Colors of Tender Whispers, The Ember Months, Birdie & Jude, and an anthology of spooky short stories inspired by real places and events, The Bridge on Jackson Road. She has authored one nonfiction book, Retirement, Now What?
Phyllis has been published by Caffeinated Press in the anthology, Brewed Awakenings 2, Fifteen Tales to Jolt Your Mind Awake. She blogs on her web site http://www.phyllishmoore.com. Follow her on Pinterest and Facebook.
Phyllis is a retired social worker and former owner/operator of a small bed and breakfast. She’s lived in the rural areas and cities of south Texas. She currently lives on Galveston Island with her husband, Richard.
She's written three stand-alone novels: Opal’s Story, Tangled, a Southern Gothic Yarn, The Bright Shawl, Colors of Tender Whispers, The Ember Months, Birdie & Jude, and an anthology of spooky short stories inspired by real places and events, The Bridge on Jackson Road. She has authored one nonfiction book, Retirement, Now What?
Phyllis has been published by Caffeinated Press in the anthology, Brewed Awakenings 2, Fifteen Tales to Jolt Your Mind Awake. She blogs on her web site http://www.phyllishmoore.com. Follow her on Pinterest and Facebook.
Phyllis is a retired social worker and former owner/operator of a small bed and breakfast. She’s lived in the rural areas and cities of south Texas. She currently lives on Galveston Island with her husband, Richard.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 29, 2020
Pelican Beach Murder is the 2nd book in the Meg Miller Cozy Mystery Series written by Phyllis H. Moore and published in 2019. I joined a review crew for this book as I really enjoyed the first in the series and wanted to read and spread the news about this second one.
Meg is about to be a grandmother and has house-swapped with a friend from the first book for the summer. While she's away, a few friends visit her, but something is amiss at the little getaway house. A neighbor frequently stops by for help and she isn't quite put together. Neither are some of the other inhabitants in the town... they all seem to be related to two twin brothers who have quite a reputation. What's truly going on? Meg is determined to solve it when the neighbor turns up dead and the suspect list is likely someone in her own family.
This cozy series is different from others. In some ways, it's very light and has a slow build-up to the mystery. The murder doesn't take place until 50% into this book, and the first half is spent with the main character commenting on the strange things happening since she arrived in the town. The second half then picks up quite quickly and shares a bunch of crazy theories, vibrant language, and curious proclivities of the townspeople. Both parts are written well, and they definitely connect... but it's hard to categorize with the different styles. I like them though, and it keeps me on my toes trying to figure out what's going on or what could possibly happen next.
Meg is definitely pushy and a bit rude. She makes snap judgments and is very direct when she doesn't like someone. It's good to see characters who are not always friendly on the outside. That said, she's very caring and helpful to those she likes, so it's a fine balance. The mystery in this one is intriguing because of the family elements. When we learn the killer's identity, it comes together. I'm not entirely sure there was enough motivation for it, but it could've happened. All-in-all, it's a good / quick read, and I like the development of the series. I'll be reading the third one later this year, as it was just released this month.
Meg is about to be a grandmother and has house-swapped with a friend from the first book for the summer. While she's away, a few friends visit her, but something is amiss at the little getaway house. A neighbor frequently stops by for help and she isn't quite put together. Neither are some of the other inhabitants in the town... they all seem to be related to two twin brothers who have quite a reputation. What's truly going on? Meg is determined to solve it when the neighbor turns up dead and the suspect list is likely someone in her own family.
This cozy series is different from others. In some ways, it's very light and has a slow build-up to the mystery. The murder doesn't take place until 50% into this book, and the first half is spent with the main character commenting on the strange things happening since she arrived in the town. The second half then picks up quite quickly and shares a bunch of crazy theories, vibrant language, and curious proclivities of the townspeople. Both parts are written well, and they definitely connect... but it's hard to categorize with the different styles. I like them though, and it keeps me on my toes trying to figure out what's going on or what could possibly happen next.
Meg is definitely pushy and a bit rude. She makes snap judgments and is very direct when she doesn't like someone. It's good to see characters who are not always friendly on the outside. That said, she's very caring and helpful to those she likes, so it's a fine balance. The mystery in this one is intriguing because of the family elements. When we learn the killer's identity, it comes together. I'm not entirely sure there was enough motivation for it, but it could've happened. All-in-all, it's a good / quick read, and I like the development of the series. I'll be reading the third one later this year, as it was just released this month.
April 9, 2019
A dysfunctional family or strangers to each other
Terrific. Another read that hits hard. A plot about a family that is full of hate, love, manipulations and despair. Loved the way the main character has drawn the loner (FBI agent) into her close family circle and the way the two bat ideas around.
She has agreed to exchange living accommodations with Tom (the FBI agent). He has to stay around to clear up the last case but had unfortunately not only booked a holiday home for a few months but had also let his apartment. Now he could stay at her small cottage whilst she would take the holiday home. The new arrangements suited her perfectly. It let her have a place by the sea and allow for a stream of visitors. It also drew her into the life of the locals including a young woman and her partner that seemed to be squatting at some nearby properties. Drugs, murder, alcohol abuse, underage sex plus more swapping of partners then Peyton Place dragon her into investigating. Who killed the young woman and her partner? Why was evidence not being properly gathered? Who in this family was the killer?
Terrific. Another read that hits hard. A plot about a family that is full of hate, love, manipulations and despair. Loved the way the main character has drawn the loner (FBI agent) into her close family circle and the way the two bat ideas around.
She has agreed to exchange living accommodations with Tom (the FBI agent). He has to stay around to clear up the last case but had unfortunately not only booked a holiday home for a few months but had also let his apartment. Now he could stay at her small cottage whilst she would take the holiday home. The new arrangements suited her perfectly. It let her have a place by the sea and allow for a stream of visitors. It also drew her into the life of the locals including a young woman and her partner that seemed to be squatting at some nearby properties. Drugs, murder, alcohol abuse, underage sex plus more swapping of partners then Peyton Place dragon her into investigating. Who killed the young woman and her partner? Why was evidence not being properly gathered? Who in this family was the killer?
November 1, 2019
This is the second book in this series, but it works as a stand-alone; there are enough references to things I assume happened in the first book that I think I would prefer to have read the first book in the series first—or have fewer references to previous happenings, that to me don’t really add to this story. I identify with the main character, whose daughter is pregnant with her first child, since I’m a grandmother with young grandkids. I love the setting of Galveston, one of my favorite places, and there are enough references to authentic details and places that I know the author has genuine familiarity with this fun vacation spot. I enjoyed the story and it’s a quick read. The writing itself is quite good, but I was surprised there are as many typos as there are, since this book has been out for several months, and I thought that it is pretty easy for authors and/or publishers to correct ebooks after they’re released. The mystery is intriguing and the resolution satisfying enough. Although I give 4 stars instead of 5, I may go back and read the first book in the series and subsequent books. I would hope that those interested would check this out. I was provided this book free of charge, but these opinions are my own.
October 25, 2019
I enjoyed this book. It is different from other cozies in that the murder is almost secondary to the characters. I loved learning about the main family of the murder. I also loved the setting. The beach!
What could be better? The sleuth also travels in this series instead of finding dead bodies all over her town all the time. Meg, the sleuth, is very likable and very real! Will have to read the first book in this series and check out the next one too.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
What could be better? The sleuth also travels in this series instead of finding dead bodies all over her town all the time. Meg, the sleuth, is very likable and very real! Will have to read the first book in this series and check out the next one too.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
October 27, 2019
Meg Miller is a feisty widow who will soon
become a grandmother. Meg and her friend,
Tom Richards who is an FBI agent are
trading homes for the summer. Tom had
rented a beach home but his work is keeping
him from using it. Meg benefits by getting a
beach vacation.
Historic, picturesque Galveston Island, Texas
is where we join Meg enjoying her surroundings.
Meg calls her location: Pelican Beach as she
sits on her deck to watch the pelican activities
as they fly over the water.
What could possibly ruin this peaceful situation??
An odd woman arrives at Meg’s beach house. She
claims she is staying in the dilapidated house
across the road that overlooks the bay. There
are several houses there. She claims her boyfriend
is staying with her. After several encounters, the
woman is found on the beach dead!!!
Turns out the woman was a product of the
dysfunctional family well known in the area.
Murder, drugs, secrets, quirks, danger, suspense
and intrigue enter into the story.
The characters are multifaceted, well defined and
very interesting especially the ones involved with
the dysfunctional family members.
The story was plotted out flawlessly. There were sub
plots within the main plot and lots of twists and turns.
The scenery of the various areas was described so
vividly that the reader feels like they are right there.
Meg likes the challenge of solving a crime so join
her in her beach adventure.
This is book # 2 in the Meg Miller Mystery series.
It can be read as a stand alone as the author
effortlessly provides the past and present for the
reader’s understanding.
I volunteered to read Pelican Beach Murder. Thanks
to the author via the Cozy Mystery Review Crew for
the opportunity. My opinion is voluntary and my own.
become a grandmother. Meg and her friend,
Tom Richards who is an FBI agent are
trading homes for the summer. Tom had
rented a beach home but his work is keeping
him from using it. Meg benefits by getting a
beach vacation.
Historic, picturesque Galveston Island, Texas
is where we join Meg enjoying her surroundings.
Meg calls her location: Pelican Beach as she
sits on her deck to watch the pelican activities
as they fly over the water.
What could possibly ruin this peaceful situation??
An odd woman arrives at Meg’s beach house. She
claims she is staying in the dilapidated house
across the road that overlooks the bay. There
are several houses there. She claims her boyfriend
is staying with her. After several encounters, the
woman is found on the beach dead!!!
Turns out the woman was a product of the
dysfunctional family well known in the area.
Murder, drugs, secrets, quirks, danger, suspense
and intrigue enter into the story.
The characters are multifaceted, well defined and
very interesting especially the ones involved with
the dysfunctional family members.
The story was plotted out flawlessly. There were sub
plots within the main plot and lots of twists and turns.
The scenery of the various areas was described so
vividly that the reader feels like they are right there.
Meg likes the challenge of solving a crime so join
her in her beach adventure.
This is book # 2 in the Meg Miller Mystery series.
It can be read as a stand alone as the author
effortlessly provides the past and present for the
reader’s understanding.
I volunteered to read Pelican Beach Murder. Thanks
to the author via the Cozy Mystery Review Crew for
the opportunity. My opinion is voluntary and my own.
October 31, 2019
Meg Miller is back! Retired widow Meg is a confident and straightforward woman. She’s headed out to the beach now, a result of a house swap she made with her FBI agent friend Tom. He first guest at her sea side cottage is her very-pregnant daughter Dorie. But just before Dorie leaves her mostly secluded summer home gains an unusual neighbor.
By the time Meg’s best friend Jean comes, they both have encounters with Echo Charles. Echo and her never-seen boyfriend have moved into a long vacant house. Echo is someone the pair become increasingly wary of, despite Meg’s concerns about her naïveté and possible vulnerability. Meg finds herself oddly meeting up with other members of Echo’s extended and highly dysfunctional family. Then, just as Jean returns to her home, Echo is found dead on the beach.
Although this is a cozy series, this is a much more psychologically complicated one. Meg seeks not merely to gain knowledge of possible suspects, but considers their motives, and seems to understand the family and its history to understand Echo better. Meg is a great change of pace from cozies that may get too light and unrealistic at times.
By the time Meg’s best friend Jean comes, they both have encounters with Echo Charles. Echo and her never-seen boyfriend have moved into a long vacant house. Echo is someone the pair become increasingly wary of, despite Meg’s concerns about her naïveté and possible vulnerability. Meg finds herself oddly meeting up with other members of Echo’s extended and highly dysfunctional family. Then, just as Jean returns to her home, Echo is found dead on the beach.
Although this is a cozy series, this is a much more psychologically complicated one. Meg seeks not merely to gain knowledge of possible suspects, but considers their motives, and seems to understand the family and its history to understand Echo better. Meg is a great change of pace from cozies that may get too light and unrealistic at times.
August 2, 2020
Pelican Beach Murder is the second in the Meg Miller Series by Phyllis H Moore.
Meg Miller was finally able to get her life back together after helping solve a murder in her hometown in December. She now finds herself relaxing on a beach on the Gulf Coast of Texas and waiting for her new grandbaby to be born.
While enjoying the relaxation she finds herself in the middle of a crazy local family feud by somehow befriending a biggest problem in the family, Echo Charles.
During the intense buildup of different issues going on with Echo and a large majority of the town's husbands Meg finds herself trying to solve another murder. During this investigation Meg realizes the murderer is not who she thought it would be.
The book was an easy read and the story kept you guessing. The descriptions of the beach, the town and the overall feelings of Meg was well written and made you feel you were right there with her.
I also enjoyed the sideline of Meg wondering and questioning why she doesn't know anything about her mother's side of the family.
I definitely recommend this story and can't wait for the third book of the series.
Meg Miller was finally able to get her life back together after helping solve a murder in her hometown in December. She now finds herself relaxing on a beach on the Gulf Coast of Texas and waiting for her new grandbaby to be born.
While enjoying the relaxation she finds herself in the middle of a crazy local family feud by somehow befriending a biggest problem in the family, Echo Charles.
During the intense buildup of different issues going on with Echo and a large majority of the town's husbands Meg finds herself trying to solve another murder. During this investigation Meg realizes the murderer is not who she thought it would be.
The book was an easy read and the story kept you guessing. The descriptions of the beach, the town and the overall feelings of Meg was well written and made you feel you were right there with her.
I also enjoyed the sideline of Meg wondering and questioning why she doesn't know anything about her mother's side of the family.
I definitely recommend this story and can't wait for the third book of the series.
October 17, 2019
I enjoyed this book with a great cast of characters and an interesting mystery that had lots of suspects, twists and turns that kept me glued to the book from the first page to the last word. I felt a real connection to Meg Miller and enjoyed her dynamic with the other characters especially her best friend Meg who visits her at the beach house after she and FBI special agent Tom Richards trade houses for the summer. This is the first book I have read by Ms. Moore but it definitely won't be the last because this talented author has me totally intrigued and ready for more. I received an advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.
October 27, 2019
Loved, loved, loved this book. First I have read by this author. I loved the character Meg and her friend Jean. People I would want to hang out with. Two retired women, enjoying their retirement and grandchildren. Meg's neighbor keeps popping up at Meg's rental several times and making a nuisance of herself. Everyone in town seems a little off and Meg has no problem telling them when she has had enough of them. Then someone is found murdered on the beach. Meg can't help but try to figure out what happened. Good mystery that escalates at the end to some thrilling moments. There is a very interesting thread in the story that provides a really good ending that leads into the next book, which I will be reading.
I received a free copy and voluntarily provided this review.
I received a free copy and voluntarily provided this review.
October 14, 2019
I really love Meg! She is a fiesty grandma-to-be that seems to find friends and trouble wherever she goes, even on her lovely beach vacation where family drama and a dead body put a crimp on her fun. And as was the case in the first book, people are drawn to Meg and want to tell her things that maybe they shouldn't share. A few issues from the previous installment continued. I don't like how she keeps obsessing about her unknown family history. Why doesn't she look into it instead of randomly wishing she knew? It got a bit annoying. I also felt that the book itself needed a good editing job. There were a few inconsistencies in the story, some clunky transitions, and odd events/reactions that didn't seem appropriate. These could have easily been resolved if someone had caught them. Luckily, they don't take away from the story itself too much because I really like Meg and her friends and have enjoyed reading about her adventures.
Thanks to the Cozy Mystery Review Crew for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to the Cozy Mystery Review Crew for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
November 7, 2019
A great cozy mysterie indeed! I got the change to review this book from the cozy mysterie review crew. Meg is such a wonderful character. I enjoyed reading. And to getting to know her better. The writing style is really engaging. Relaxing with a cozy mysterie is one of my favorite things. And this was a treat!
I love the beach! And with this story it felt like I was at the beach myself.
The story takes you in right away. It never gets boring. But it is relaxing. Just as a cozy mysterie is intended. Perfect!
I was asked to read and review this book and I did voluntarily. It was my pleasure.
I love the beach! And with this story it felt like I was at the beach myself.
The story takes you in right away. It never gets boring. But it is relaxing. Just as a cozy mysterie is intended. Perfect!
I was asked to read and review this book and I did voluntarily. It was my pleasure.
May 7, 2023
Though I enjoyed the story, I felt there were many extraneous facts described in excessive detail. Does it matter what Meg and Jean ate for dinner and what sort of dishes they used? There are frequent references to the story in book one of the series, making this not quite the stand alone novel it could be. I liked the continuing characters and the twists of the main plot of this tale enough to keep reading this series, though I will read a few more things before taking up the next one.
November 7, 2022
Cozy mysteries
I love this cozy mysteries. It was a page turner. Kept my interest. I enjoyed reading about the characters. It's well written. I liked the storyline.
I love this cozy mysteries. It was a page turner. Kept my interest. I enjoyed reading about the characters. It's well written. I liked the storyline.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews